By Liam Twomey
THE latest AFL draft combine invitations have been released and the good news continues for the Western Jets.
Jaxon Cooke has been selected to attend the combine in the medium defenders bracket after a solid season on the backline.
Jets regional manager Shane Sexton said it was great to have another of their players selected.
“Jaxon has played some really good games this year. He played really well in the Vic Metro trial games earlier in the year as a forward,” Sexton said.
“We have used him down back more because it suited the structure of the team and he has coped with that well.”
Cooke played 17 games for the Jets this season and was one of their most consistent performers.
He was named in the best players twice, in round eight against the Calder Cannons and then again in round 13 against the Murray Bushrangers.
Despite being an impressive backman, he proved to be a handy swingman on more than one occasion, highlighted by his round-16 performance against the Geelong Falcons where he kicked five goals in a crunch encounter.
He finished the season with 14 goals.
“He is a good mark and a good kick of the footy and we hope he can finish off the season well,” Sexton said.
The draft combine gives AFL clubs the chance to get a closer look at the nation’s top young talent through a number of tests, which measure a player’s level of ability and fitness.
Sexton said the results of the combine would have a big impact on the chances of winning national draft selection.
“The AFL clubs will nominate the players that they want to see, if a player gets enough nominations then they get invited,” Sexton said.
“Clearly during the year, recruiters will have watched enough footy to have an idea on how the kids are going to play.
“Their results in the tests could see them selected over someone else.”
Potential draftees will be tested on their speed, agility, endurance and skill level.
The Jets have had a number of players invited to this year’s combines on the back of an outstanding TAC Cup season where they have qualified for finals and only narrowly missed out on a top four spot.
“It’s been a long time since we have had three players invited to the draft camp. There has been some years where we haven’t had any,” Sexton said.
“They are all very talented footballers who have had very good seasons.
“The next little phase of the season is going to be crucial for some of our players.
We are hopeful that they will continue to perform well and that as many as three or four might be invited to more screenings.”
